BASEBALL

Isringhausen Feeling Fine, But Still Awaits Answers

By BUSTER OLNEY

Published: May 12, 1997

ST. LOUIS, May 11—
More than a week has passed since doctors told Jason Isringhausen they believe he has tuberculosis. Today, the Mets' pitcher said he feels ''100 percent better,'' physically and mentally.

''I don't feel like I'm dying,'' Isringhausen said via speakerphone from his home in Brighton, Ill. ''I'm able to think about other things. I don't have to worry.''

X-rays first revealed a spot in Isringhausen's chest two weeks ago, and he underwent extensive examinations for four days.

''I don't know if it was frightening as much as aggravating, sitting there, doing all these tests that weren't really any fun,'' he said. ''I wasn't getting any answers. It was more frustrating than anything.''

Dr. John Olichney called Isringhausen on May 1 with the preliminary diagnosis, and though Isringhausen expressed relief, he said that he ''wasn't so much worried about cancer as everybody else.''

''But they still don't know what I have,'' he said. ''They didn't give me a 100 percent positive that I have tuberculosis. I have some kind of infection; that's all I know.''

Isringhausen returned to his parents' home last week, salve for his mind. He has some weakness in his lower right leg, a side effect from the medication he is taking, and he will go to New York early this week for more tests. The 24-year-old has no idea when he will pitch again.

As Isringhausen finished with reporters today, the team's media relations director, Jay Horwitz, tried to get the pitcher's attention on the telephone. Isringhausen responded and, in jest, called Horwitz ''Jew boy.'' That particular term is heard fairly often in the Mets' clubhouse when Horwitz and players tease one another, but in the context of a player interview it caught severalreporters by surprise.

Horwitz said later that he wasn't offended by what Isringhausen had said. Still, it was uttered at a time when recent comments by people in sports have caused a stir.

Last month, Fuzzy Zoeller made racially offensive jokes about the menu that the Masters winner, Tiger Woods, would choose for next year's champions dinner at Augusta. In March, Nets Coach John Calipari angrily called a reporter a ''Mexican idiot.'' Both men apologized.

Horwitz, however, wasn't looking for any apology. ''Hey, I'm proud of being Jewish,'' he said, ''but I know it was said in terms of affection. I speak to Jason almost every day. Stuff is said in the locker room; people kid each other. That's the way I take it.''

''Jay's a lot like my brother,'' Isringhausen said afterward in describing his relationship with Horwitz. He insisted he meant nothing derogatory.